And of course I kick off the episode immediately asking Ruchi how amazing it was to interview SJP!
Loved this interview - thank you so much again Ruchi for your time and CONSTANT incredible outfits I see all the time on instagram! You are an inspiration
To find out more information check out @lcahouston on instagram or https://lcahouston.com
Hit me up @choosandfashiondoos would love to hear from you!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to real beauty with FD.
Season six episode six.
And this is a second part of theCole conversation I had with
Ruchi.
So we will go dive.
We will dive into that in justone second.
And just a reminder.
She is the editor publisher ofLCA Houston international
(00:24):
society news magazine.
And also the founder host of theinternational mother's day
Surrey.
And I will say.
we dive straight into, I neededto ask her about some of the
people she'd interviewed andspecifically Sarah Jessica
Parker, who, as you all know.
If you are loyal listeners, I'mobsessed with her.
(00:46):
So that is how I kick off thisweek's episode.
But before we do just a littlebit of a life update as I was
not organized enough to get thispodcast out last Tuesday.
So I apologize for the weekdelay in between these episodes,
but we were in Disney world andoh my gosh, it was such a great
(01:07):
trip.
And you probably remember thatin January.
me and my family and also ourfriends, we went on a Disney
cruise.
So there's been a lot of Disney,the star of this year, like a
lot.
But it's been so worth it.
And originally I was a littlebit concerned knowing Luna is
(01:28):
only four and a half.
That would this be the best timewhen she forgot.
And I think maybe there's stillthat possibility that.
In the future.
She's not going to rememberthese trips so vividly, but
she's at such a perfect age oflike just absorbing the magic of
everything.
And just loved it.
So if you're on the fence ordebate and going.
(01:51):
Highly recommend going.
Um, the only downside to thetrip is we decided to drive.
And I don't think I would everdo that again.
Plus I came back and you canprobably hear it.
My voice, I brought a cold backwith me.
And it's not.
COVID.
I double-checked.
Um, I did a test yesterday, soI've not been feeling the bass,
(02:13):
which kind of socks, um,especially being like the first
kind of Monday back to workafter.
Going on such a great trip thatI've just not felt good at all.
Um, But anyway.
Um, not to kind of dwell onthat.
It was great.
Um, so definitely had the besttime on I'm currently.
(02:35):
So where I sit to kind of recordmy podcasts is in one of our
spare bedrooms that I convertedinto, I guess, like my closet.
Um, so I have like shelves andstuff, and then I sit with the
vanity that has a mirror.
So.
I currently just looked atmyself in the mirror.
And I'm like, gosh, I, um, sooverdue getting Botox, um, which
(02:58):
sounds very Bain, but I can see.
As I'm frowning.
And I need to do that.
So while I was kind of thinkingout loud, I do just want to kind
of give a shout out to skin dayspa in Houston.
It's based in the Heights.
So Donna is amazing.
She's the owner.
And she's been doing my Botoxfor years.
(03:18):
So, if you are looking forsomewhere or you're sitting on
the fence or maybe.
You've been somewhere, butyou're looking for somewhere
new.
Um, I highly recommend theydon't just do Botox sees you
fillers, facials.
Other amazing treatments.
Um, but for me, I go there forBotox and it's$10 per unit.
(03:40):
Plus, unlike other places theyrequest you go back after a
week.
And the reason they do so isjust to kind of help.
Kind of look at where the Botoxhas SAS hold.
So if you do like need somemore, or because of the great
thing about Donna is she'salways looking for that kind of
natural look, um, As she justwants to make sure everything's
(04:03):
even, and it's all kind oflooking good.
So they do.
A free Botox touch-up, which Ican't see anywhere else in
Houston that conducts this.
Um, so anyway, if you want moreinformation, more than happy to
help.
If not check them out onInstagram is asking day spa
Houston.
I'm sorry.
I just wanted to mention, as Ilook at my skin, I think, oh my
(04:24):
God, maybe it's cause I have acold.
And I'm just not feeling like ahundred percent, but having a
mirror in front of me is not thebest.
Um, Anyway.
Completely went off on atangent.
Um, so I'm going to stoprambling on.
And I will go back to the secondpart of this awesome episode
with butchy.
(04:45):
Thanks.
francene (04:47):
,so I have to ask, you have conducted face-to-face
interviews with a number ofpeople, and I need to ask, how
was Sarah Jessica Parker?
She was, I love her.
ruchi (05:03):
I mean, she was very, she came on launching a shoe
collection at Nordstrom in theGalleria.
I went,
francene (05:10):
I went to that.
I never got to meet her, but Iwent to it.
Oh, went for that.
Can
ruchi (05:13):
imagine was Infourteen.
francene (05:15):
Yeah.
Yes.
That's when I literally movedhere a month before.
ruchi (05:20):
Oh my God, that is so funny.
Oh, I love that so much.
Yeah, she was there.
Um, I, um, had my photographerwith me and she and I, we went
to cover that and I got a chanceto speak to her and, you know,
interview her.
And she was very nice.
Oh, I mean, I, I, I saw herkneeling over to a la old lady
(05:41):
who was in a wheelchair and, um,she was very, very friendly,
very easygoing, and very nice.
francene (05:49):
Oh, I love that.
That makes me happy.
Have you tried it?
ruchi (05:51):
Does.
I, I sometimes don't likeinterviewing celebrities for
that reason is because if I likesome movie or something, I don't
want that to be tarnished.
francene (05:59):
I know that would be my fear is like meeting your
idol and then they're not thatnice.
Oh my God.
Um, but have you, have you triedon any of her shoe collection
that,
ruchi (06:11):
um, at that time I did, and I don't see much of it
anymore and not so any places.
Yeah.
francene (06:18):
So the only reason I bring it up is I was the same,
and it's only the last likethree years I now buy from, I
mean, not her, obviously thestore.
Um, but they're actually made inthe same place as Manolo BBLs.
Yes.
And it's, they're so similar.
So similar.
(06:39):
Um, just a little bit lessexpensive.
But anyway, I really like them.
They're very comfortable.
Okay.
Highly recommend.
Yeah.
Um, so I guess from like beingable to like interview so many
great people and from thefashion perspective, um, what
about beauty and morespecifically your kinda skincare
(07:02):
routine.
What is a typical kind of dayfor you?
Because your skin looksincredible and it looks like
you're not wearing anythingright now.
Um, just
ruchi (07:11):
a little al I mean, so, okay.
I am very old school, believe itor not.
I have not ever put a singleBotox injection, nothing
francene (07:22):
on this.
Yeah.
Your skin is great.
It is great.
ruchi (07:24):
I get my eyebrows threaded in Hillcroft.
Okay.
Cause I, I grew up with thatlike almost, you know, as said
from age 19, I started getting,I, I had a uni bra It did.
You have great
francene (07:37):
eyebrow shape,
ruchi (07:38):
so I do threading.
You did great.
Um, I have made exercise like askincare routine almost, or like
something which happened to mein 20 20 19 mostly, but 2020
even more.
Yeah.
It's like, I hate it to be likea chore.
Yeah.
I hate it to be like apunishment.
Like, oh my God, I gotta do itas, I won't fit in this outfit.
(08:00):
I do.
It is because like, you know,just like, oh my God, there's a
luxury that just like, I loveshopping.
I'm one of those people who willnot shop online.
shoppings your cardio have zerotime now.
like, oh God.
I'm like, this kid is sneak outor missing homework and go sh
look around and then come backand do my homework late at
(08:21):
night.
Um, I, uh, definitely always,there's a cliche ones that I can
always clean my.
Before going to bed.
Yeah.
With coconut oil.
Well, I, okay.
I have dry skin now, so Skin toskin.
So I have pretty dry skin alwayshad.
Okay.
Okay.
And so I put coconut oil andclean up the, that, that cotton
ball just clean up my face.
(08:43):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I use a lot of oil base.
My biggest routine is grew upwith mommy, mommy's, uh, home
tricks, turmeric, yogurt.
Um, there's a, we call it basin,which is Grand Flour Uhhuh.
I don't if you get that inregular grocery stores.
I pick it up from, um, what doyou call it?
(09:05):
Uh, like from Indian grocerystores and I make a paste.
Or if nothing, I absolutely,every other day I pick yogurt,
honey, uh, lemon juice ifneeded.
Or maybe just a little pinch oflike a fresh turmeric Yeah.
Or whatever, and mix it.
And then I put a paste of it onmy face.
francene (09:25):
Oh wow.
That is, I love diy.
Oh, I love this.
Yeah.
And it just helps moisturize tokeep it less dry.
ruchi (09:33):
No, I just keep it as a face mask.
Oh, I love that.
Yeah.
I just put a face mask and leaveit for 10, 15 minutes and then
wash it off.
Okay.
That's a great tip.
Uh, that's something, those arethe typical things I do.
Um, grew up again with a lot ofoil massage.
I don't get a chance to do thatanymore cause hair's done.
(09:54):
If I do put oil Yeah.
But whenever given chance, I doa little bit of oil massage.
It's really, you can take, youknow, cast oil is very good for
you.
Oh really?
Yeah.
Cast castro is really good foryour hair.
It's really sticky.
So you just need a little bit,mix it with, uh, coconut oil or
so.
Um, I use a lot of oils, uh,especially coconut, castor oil,
(10:19):
almond oil, stuff like that.
So, and then, so I do that and Idon't put a whole bunch of
makeup.
Okay.
I mean, I just feel like it canshow that, you know, I mean, of
course I'll, I mean, I'll, ifI'm on tv then I'll try to cover
up my dark circles or whatever,but otherwise, I mean, just a, a
(10:42):
good primer.
Yes.
I love a good primer, so I, I'llbuy a good primer.
I mean, nothing expensive.
Mm-hmm.
Mac powder, Mac lipstick.
Mascara eyeliner.
I love it.
Always.
I either go with red lipstick ora, a smokey eye Oh my
francene (11:00):
go-tos.
Yes.
One or the other.
I love that.
And what about your hair?
Because you have Great, okay, Ihave to
ruchi (11:06):
give a shout to dry
francene (11:10):
Is that your
ruchi (11:10):
secret?
They are the best.
I think so.
And this, this is, um, four daystill hair.
Oh my
francene (11:19):
gosh.
ruchi (11:20):
So how often?
Well, dry shampoo, well, I havebaby hair, so the curls hold.
Yeah.
I have baby hair.
So the curls hold.
Um, dry shampoo is my, I live byYes.
I'm not, because I don't wash myhair every day.
So every three days or four daysI'll wash my hair.
Okay.
And, uh, dry bar, I invest ingetting my hair done is because
(11:44):
for two reasons.
I have to go to so many things.
And it just, for me, it stayslong.
Mm-hmm.
so it works out.
So if I have a lunch andtomorrow, then I have a, like,
oh, I'm, I'm actually gonna bemeeting Bik the designer on, uh,
Thursday.
We are having a lunch with him.
Oh my gosh.
That's amazing.
He's amazing.
Have you seen his collectionsometime And he, I think some of
(12:06):
them wore for the o um, Oscar.
Oh
francene (12:09):
really?
Oh my gosh.
Yeah.
No, I need to look.
And
ruchi (12:12):
Michelle Obama is a big, that she wore many of his
outfits and many of them I'llsend you some pictures of.
So I'm meeting him on Thursdayat the luncheon.
Tomorrow there's an event at,uh, Asia Society by this New
York Times bestseller, uh,Indian Cook author actually.
So we are interviewing her.
So all these events will bethere, so I can just get, get
the hair done out of the way andI'll be good to go.
francene (12:35):
God, it's a lot.
So it helps to get your hairdone and ready.
And we mentioned at the start ofthe episode, um, you know,
talking about kinda laying outoutfits, but it's a lot, it's a
lot to go to.
It's a lot.
Many of those different events.
And then think of, okay, what amI gonna wear?
And, you know, avoiding kind offast fashion.
(12:58):
How do you keep up with trends?
Do you keep up with trends?
ruchi (13:04):
Or no, I don't invest at all expensive with on trends at
all.
Okay.
francene (13:09):
So it's more like,
ruchi (13:10):
so I business absolutely will not spend anything more
than$50 on an anything trendy.
That's the max.
francene (13:18):
Okay.
Wow.
ruchi (13:18):
For me.
Okay.
Trendy stuff,$50, whether it's adress or, you know, the cutouts
have come out the cutout style.
I know this just a fact.
So, you know, I found somethinglike that at a cheaper store.
I'll go, you know, those littlestores, I'll be like, okay, 35,
$40, I'll wear it.
I'll wear accessories.
(13:38):
Yes.
Like they, there's a joke.
I'm, I am.
That's what they said.
That, and I, you know, my closetis small and, um, I, I would
tell my friends, I don't haveany savings my savings at the
closet.
That's true.
My savings on the closet.
I am like, I can't save, I'mgonna save, I'm gonna save.
(14:00):
I can't save.
Um, I, cause you know, I feellike I'm this, I'm this girl
who's like, okay, whatever.
Life is short
francene (14:08):
It is.
It's just, I feel
ruchi (14:09):
the same way.
Um, I always invest in good
francene (14:12):
accessories.
Okay.
Is there any specific brands you
ruchi (14:16):
prefer?
No specific, but yeah, I mean,see, I will not buy, like, I, I
love, um, CLA handbags.
Yes, I am crazy for handbagsand, uh, Well, this one's, this
baby is sitting right in frontof me.
Ooh, that's beautiful.
That's the Bulgar Spen.
(14:37):
Oh my God,
francene (14:38):
that is so nice.
ruchi (14:39):
So this was one the year Bulgary was a very generous
supporter of, uh, L C A magazineevent.
Mother's Day Suaree.
So yeah, we, we, we got thatthen.
And he, and they were, they gota table, they got a table
together.
It was very nice.
Um, this lime color, now thiscolor and this, you know, even
the color is very trendy if youthink about a spring.
(15:00):
Yeah.
But this is burglary and thestyle is so classic, it'll never
go out a style.
Yeah.
I have been, over the years,collected a very, a nice
collection of clutches andhandbags.
Um, I've never been like, oh mygosh, Chanel or anything like
that.
But I do like a good brand.
Uh, I have a beautiful Chanelclutch that I love.
Absolutely.
(15:20):
And then, um, then each one hasa story like, uh, I wanted
Always the Lady Dior.
which Bri is Diana, they createdfor her.
Mm-hmm.
uh, that mini or the medium one,whatever.
And I wanted to always get it.
And that was so funny because Istill remember when I was going
through such a hard time in mylife where, I mean, I still
remember, I mean, having noteven a hundred dollars in my
(15:42):
hand, I'm like, I don't knowwhat to do.
But I still was that girl.
But I was never sad.
I couldn't get it, but I justkept dreaming.
I would go in the store, inGalleria, Dior store, like every
day almost and ask for the priceof that
francene (15:55):
lady Dior.
You're like,
ruchi (15:56):
has it changed?
Change the price.
I was like, they'll be like, oh,ok.
And I kept, I would tell myselfone day when I work hard and if
I, my dad always taught me neverbuy something on credit.
Uh, yes, you can buy it.
My dad, dad said the same, you,to pay your bills.
Only then you.
Yes, I am very lucky to beraised with the such values and
(16:20):
okay, there was, I saved, I saidI'd never buy jewelry for myself
ever.
I never bought myself anydiamonds.
I never had any diamonds,nothing but handbags was my
weakness.
So when I finally bought thatlady Dior, I went to lo, I had
gone for a trip to London and Ibought it in London.
The same store where?
(16:40):
Where they had got it for LadyPrincess Diana.
Oh my gosh.
Oh, I love that.
And it's beautiful.
It's got this, my initials RMwith the star in the middle.
Yeah.
And it's like, you know, they'relike, oh, you're a star.
So the, so just love thoselittle stories with it.
Uh, shoes doesn't matter.
I am all about, I'm always inheels and always I walk on the
go and lunches and galas.
(17:01):
Yes.
Of clever.
Um, I will prefer simple pumps.
Yeah.
But of course we are all, youknow, we women still buy a whole
bunch of shoes, so.
Yeah, I
francene (17:09):
know we still
ruchi (17:11):
buy them my booties and you know, I mean, these Dichi
boots I got like two years ago,I always look for a good deal.
Everyone knows me.
I am all about deals.
Yeah.
People don't know this, but atip shopping Tip Jimi has as
biggest sale in summer June.
Go to the store, you'll get 40%off.
(17:34):
Oh, that's awesome to know.
Clutches, shoes, wedges,everything.
Classic from classic clutcheswill also go 40% off.
Oh my
francene (17:43):
God.
Jimmy C is like my favorite.
I'm obsessed with Jimmy C.
It's the best.
Yeah, the best friend.
ruchi (17:50):
They, they.
I love the style of shoes.
I love the Me too.
You know, the evening clutchesare really nice.
They have a sale.
Well, Gucci used to have onepoint and they've stopped
having, but that's the goodtiming.
Summer for aga.
The other brands in gal, theyhave good
francene (18:05):
sales.
Okay, so I had to Galleria inJune.
ruchi (18:09):
Yes.
Yeah.
June go there and.
keep an eye and it's, I alwayslook for deals.
I buy inexpensive, mostlyclothing, of course, I've bought
expensive ones too, but I mostlytry to buy a lot of like
reasonable price clothes andthen I mix and match it with all
the accessories.
Yeah, I do.
(18:30):
So handbag shoes, these are,because those investments you
can, you can wear it all thetime.
Yeah.
Agreed.
I mean, clothes, you're notgonna repeat unless it's a
blazer or a classic piece, ablack dress.
But you're not gonna wear afloral print.
Like 20 times, you know?
I know.
It's no point, you know,spending too much money on a,
you know.
Yeah.
That's,
francene (18:50):
if you agreed.
And this is, um, you know, youmentioned cuz I do outfit of the
day, I'm also, this makes me bemore, um, have more inspiration
on like, how do I mix and matchso I'm not repeating the same
thing.
Oh yeah.
Which is bad.
All I do.
Which is bad because this is howI justify my purchases.
Cause I say to my husband, I'mlike, I can't possibly wear the
(19:12):
same thing He's like, you'rejust going to work I'm like, I
know.
I know.
Um, so tell me more about L C aHouston Magazine.
I know you launched in 2009, um,but tell me what was the
inspiration behind it and um,what you guys have coming up in
(19:34):
the future.
Oh yeah, so
ruchi (19:36):
exciting.
So we definitely have lotscoming up, but L C A Houston
started as an online magazine.
So I went the opposite route.
People usually start print.
I did online, I've been alwaysbeen with TV and print magazine
and, uh, newspaper.
So I already had a hugeportfolio and a, and a backing
and, you know, off injournalism.
(19:57):
Yeah.
So I was not new to thatprofession at all.
I've been ri I was writingalready in the US for years and
had built relationships and, uh,the community started asking,
and at that time, and even now,there was no magazine, which is
this.
The vision I had was that I didnot want any ethnic community to
(20:19):
be just known for theirstereotypes.
I just did not want India to bea chicken tka, masala and
arranged marriage.
Yeah.
Which is fine, but we are morethan that.
Just like America cannot be onlyknown for cheese.
Yeah, for sure.
You know, so same thing, youknow, it's not, uh, we, I, and I
kept feeling that, and people atthe same time were like, oh my
(20:42):
God, we, you've written, you'vecovered for t v Asia, you've
covered for this.
Where are those stories?
Mm-hmm.
So that gave me that, you know,the light bulb was like, ding,
okay, how about Ava onlinepresence of all the stories that
I'm covering?
And I start putting that online.
And then the vision startedslowly growing, that this will
(21:02):
be the magazine, which will beme, which I started seeing was
for initially just mostly known.
And it is only recently changed.
Let me tell you, Indians wereonly known as, oh my God.
Yes.
I love Hillcroft.
I love the Tala.
Oh, I love the.
(21:24):
and they were not aware of bigbrands, were not aware of that.
We were the biggest spenders inHouston.
They were one of the biggest,you know, shoppers and they're
buying diamonds from, whetherit's from the big brands or
whichever.
And that became my idea to startseeing women or men from Asian
community, Latin community, uh,you know, Iranian, you know,
(21:48):
Arabic community, all of thesecommunities doing amazing
things, but they were just intheir own little pockets doing
mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
So I was going to the Indiancommunity covering a gala for
them.
I was going the Asian communitycovering a gala for them.
But there was no, there was nosynergy or there was no, uh,
bridging that gap.
My magazine print edition camelater.
(22:10):
I was online and that's when in2013 I had a, a vision alongside
this columnized to do for timesof India, I'd written even for
states when I wrote, called TheEight Moms of Houston.
It was a fun little piece ofstories I would write about
fashionable Indian or Asian,whichever community I would pick
(22:30):
every time four or five moms.
Mm-hmm.
from various ethnic backgroundsand how similar kind like their
fashion and what philanthropy oras a mother, you know, uh, what
they're doing.
Because also growing up inIndia, another mindset and
stigma, I would constantly hear,oh, you're a mom.
You don't need to get your nailsdone.
(22:51):
Yeah.
Oh, oh, she's painting hernails.
Great.
Once you'll have a kid, all thatwill go out of the window.
Yeah.
So cute.
It bothered me.
Motherhood is not a punishment.
And my mom was, is a very,fashion, was a very fashionable,
and I remember people likemaking her look like as if she's
not a good mom.
If she's doing fashion.
(23:11):
Yeah.
If she's wearing matchingoutfits.
If she's wearing, she's puttogether.
They're like, oh yeah, she, allshe does is fashion.
She was the most dedicated.
Mother I've ever known who knewnothing other than her children.
Mm-hmm.
And she would feel like, ohgosh.
And so I just felt like that'ssuch so wrong.
I mean, motherhood doesn't meanyou to look, you know, you can
(23:32):
be comfortable.
It's to its own agree.
I'm not gonna criticize if anymom wants to be in sweats,
that's absolutely okay.
Just because I love to wear adress or that's my, my point of
view.
But I, I admired actually a lotmore the moms who were so fit
and they would wear the.
glamorous dresses.
And I would be like, yeah, wow.
Yes, that takes, I know it takeseffort.
(23:55):
you a baby crying there andyou're trying to also look good.
So I started writing about themand that column turned into the
L C A Houston InternationalMother's Day story.
I love that.
We started the first one in 2013and we are nine years now.
So we are having, upcoming is inHouston on May 15th.
(24:17):
Uh, we'll have our ninth AnnualInternational Mother's Day story
at the Junior League of Houston.
And the theme is super awesome.
Frida Kaho inspired, so big,amazing big hair, you know, big
rose headbands and hair, youknow, flower bands and floral
dresses.
That's the theme.
And then we have, for theWoodlands, we have the honorary
(24:41):
announcement party in theWoodlands on May 4th at Tory
Butch.
Yes.
It's a cocktail party.
and which you are one of
francene (24:49):
our honoree.
I cannot wait.
I'm so excited.
Get your
ruchi (24:52):
pink dress ready because Honor.
Oh, I'm ready.
Wear pink on the kickoff.
So ready?
I can't wait.
And then we are gonna have,after the Houston event, we will
be in full swing with ourWoodlands main luncheon on
October 16th, 2022 at theWoodlands Country Club.
And the theme is gonna be theafternoon tea with hats and
(25:14):
fascinators.
francene (25:15):
Oh, this is awesome.
I cannot wait.
I'm so excited.
Cannot
ruchi (25:18):
wait.
Yeah.
Well, why count this full?
And we are also talking toMarket Street for end of the
year in, um, November to host aDiwali event, which is the
biggest Indian festival.
Uh, it's called the, you know,festival of Lights.
Yeah.
And it'll be a Bollywood theme.
And hopefully we are gonna behaving that event at Market
(25:41):
Street.
So everyone will get ready toget their on the Bollywood dance
moves.
Oh my goodness.
And all bright c sorrys anddresses.
And we will be hosting thatevent to raise awareness for
mental health for firstresponders.
francene (25:57):
Wow, that's incredible.
It's incredible, like everythingyou've built and done.
Um, and I'm really, reallyexcited for these events coming
up
too.
ruchi (26:06):
I am excited.
I can't see that, you know, thewoodlands turning into this
colorful Oh yes.
Fun happening space.
I feel we need that.
francene (26:15):
I agree.
Oh, yes.
Um, so usually at the, um, I'mconscious of time.
There's so much I could ask youand continue to ask you.
Um, but we usually end with aquick fire round.
Okay.
So I'm gonna ask you somequestions and just whatever pops
into your head, go for it.
Okay.
Um, so your favorite cocktail.
ruchi (26:38):
Oh friend, 70 fives.
Oh, oh
francene (26:40):
my God.
I love that cocktail.
Yeah.
And most used emoji.
ruchi (26:46):
Oh, the kisses all over the face.
Yeah,
francene (26:51):
Um, if you were a sex and city character, who would
you be?
In?
The Sex
ruchi (26:56):
and City?
Yes.
Oh my God.
So for shopping wise, uh, a lotof people used to call me the
Indian Carry Blood Show, but Ilike to say it, I'm not a fan of
her character because the wayshe was treated by Mr.
Big, I would never, evertolerate a man treating me that
way.
And I will be taking that at thesame time.
(27:16):
I love Samantha, but she's, Ilove, that's over the top with
her sex That's not me.
Um, I do love sex and I'm notashamed to say like, oh my gosh,
she's Indian.
She said that.
Um, I'm a combination of that.
Yeah.
francene (27:29):
That's a great combination.
ruchi (27:30):
You know, like, I would not take.
I would, I'm all about equality.
I will be treating a man withrespect, and I want man respect
me and, and I will not bechanging partners like she does
Oh yeah.
Um, but at the same time, burgershopping.
Yeah.
That part is so me, apartmentcan't let go of my apartment
(27:50):
life.
Uh, my clothes, my shoes.
I shouldn't be buying.
And I'm a journalist.
I shouldn't be buying, but I'llbuy it.
That's me.
But not the part where Mr.
Big, so I don't know.
I'm torn
francene (28:00):
It's a Caucasian.
Okay.
I'll, I'll give you, I'll giveyou them both.
Um, okay.
If you could be anyone for theday,
ruchi (28:06):
who would you be?
Any other person?
Mm-hmm.
honestly, uh, I don't know.
I'm quite, I, I just would liketo be.
Oh no,
francene (28:18):
I love that.
Cause I don't know.
That's
ruchi (28:19):
a great answer.
Other people have so I havenever, ever, ever envied even my
richest, most fabulous friends.
I love them how they haveachieved, but I always feel we
don't know what they had to gothrough or what they're going
through.
That's true.
So I don't want to be anyoneelse.
I'll just be me
francene (28:39):
Great.
You're the only one that's everanswered that question in that
way, so that's great.
I love it.
Um, if you could pick only twoskincare products, what would
they
ruchi (28:48):
be?
Um, I'll, I'll take the CastroOkay.
Any others?
I'll take the Castro with me.
Yeah.
francene (28:58):
Any others?
ruchi (29:00):
Um, I'll take a good, uh, martial.
francene (29:04):
Okay, we'll take that.
Yeah.
Um,
ruchi (29:06):
I got moisturizer, a sunscreen moisturizer so that if
is gonna burn me off with thesun so I'm gonna take a
sunscreen moisturizer with me,
francene (29:14):
Um, and what is your life motto or phrase that you
live by?
ruchi (29:21):
Um, I've recently started living by actually that I'd
rather be used than I usesomebody and I, it's a
combination of different quotes,basically.
Yeah.
Uh, Robin Nago says this overand over again, said this noble
laureate poet from India that.
Build yourself in such a way,just like a tree, or be so great
(29:45):
that when you build a tree, ayou don't think, a tree doesn't
think who's get, who's gettingthe shade.
It's not concerned about that.
And uh, there's a, there's apolitic line.
I can't exactly remember, butwhat the, but the gist of it is
basically is this, that, um,just give without really any
expectations.
(30:05):
Yeah.
And it's hard and sounds solike, oh my god.
No, it is truly actually you'redoing a favor to yourself by not
by saying that, oh, I mean, I'mso great.
I'm gonna give without no, it'sbecause expectation is the
number one killer of allrelationships.
Yeah.
Whether it's with your child,whether it's with your partner,
whether it's in your job whenyou do job or a work, if you
(30:29):
just see it yourself, like thispodcast you do because you do it
for fun.
It's so much more easier if youjust did it to get a result and,
you know, compete with othernumbers, it just drain you.
But the second we, we all haveto pay bills, we have to make
money.
I understand.
I'm definitely cautious forthat.
Mm-hmm.
but we cannot think of theresult even with our children,
(30:50):
with our partners, and we haveto live in the present.
And at the same time, I alwaysfeel I rather be used than I,
uh, I abuse and use somebodyelse.
I now want to be in a positionin life where I have to use.
Yeah.
No, I love that they'd rather beused.
francene (31:06):
No, I love it.
Well, hey, thank you so, so muchfor your time.
This has been a great Thank you.
ruchi (31:11):
This was great conversation.
francene (31:13):
Good.
Yeah, I know.
I just looked down and I waslike, oh my God.
I'm pretty sure I promised 40minutes and we've gone well
ruchi (31:19):
over No, it's okay.
And I appreciate you so much,and thank you.
Uh, everything you're doing,just the fact that you're doing
this is, it's, it's a, it's abeautiful gesture because
you're, you're bringing so muchjoy to so many people and you're
finding your own little meaningin your life, I feel.
So that's really good.
And, you know, stepping out andloving fashion.
(31:41):
Hey, I love women who lovefashion.
I'll be artist.
francene (31:42):
Right.
Well, um, hey, I will see you onSunday.
Looking fabulous.
See, thanks.
Um, but yeah, thank you so much.
Have a great evening.
Bye.
See you Sunday.
Bye lady.
Bye.
Welcome to real beauty with FD.
Season six episode six.
And this is a second part of theCole conversation I had with
Ruchi.
So we will go dive.
We will dive into that in justone second.
And just a reminder.
She is the editor publisher ofLCA Houston international
(00:24):
society news magazine.
And also the founder host of theinternational mother's day
Surrey.
And I will say.
we dive straight into, I neededto ask her about some of the
people she'd interviewed andspecifically Sarah Jessica
Parker, who, as you all know.
If you are loyal listeners, I'mobsessed with her.
(00:46):
So that is how I kick off thisweek's episode.
But before we do just a littlebit of a life update as I was
not organized enough to get thispodcast out last Tuesday.
So I apologize for the weekdelay in between these episodes,
but we were in Disney world andoh my gosh, it was such a great
(01:07):
trip.
And you probably remember thatin January.
me and my family and also ourfriends, we went on a Disney
cruise.
So there's been a lot of Disney,the star of this year, like a
lot.
But it's been so worth it.
And originally I was a littlebit concerned knowing Luna is
(01:28):
only four and a half.
That would this be the best timewhen she forgot.
And I think maybe there's stillthat possibility that.
In the future.
She's not going to rememberthese trips so vividly, but
she's at such a perfect age oflike just absorbing the magic of
everything.
And just loved it.
So if you're on the fence ordebate and going.
(01:51):
Highly recommend going.
Um, the only downside to thetrip is we decided to drive.
And I don't think I would everdo that again.
Plus I came back and you canprobably hear it.
My voice, I brought a cold backwith me.
And it's not.
COVID.
I double-checked.
Um, I did a test yesterday, soI've not been feeling the bass,
(02:13):
which kind of socks, um,especially being like the first
kind of Monday back to workafter.
Going on such a great trip thatI've just not felt good at all.
Um, But anyway.
Um, not to kind of dwell onthat.
It was great.
Um, so definitely had the besttime on I'm currently.
(02:35):
So where I sit to kind of recordmy podcasts is in one of our
spare bedrooms that I convertedinto, I guess, like my closet.
Um, so I have like shelves andstuff, and then I sit with the
vanity that has a mirror.
So.
I currently just looked atmyself in the mirror.
And I'm like, gosh, I, um, sooverdue getting Botox, um, which
(02:58):
sounds very Bain, but I can see.
As I'm frowning.
And I need to do that.
So while I was kind of thinkingout loud, I do just want to kind
of give a shout out to skin dayspa in Houston.
It's based in the Heights.
So Donna is amazing.
She's the owner.
And she's been doing my Botoxfor years.
(03:18):
So, if you are looking forsomewhere or you're sitting on
the fence or maybe.
You've been somewhere, butyou're looking for somewhere
new.
Um, I highly recommend theydon't just do Botox sees you
fillers, facials.
Other amazing treatments.
Um, but for me, I go there forBotox and it's$10 per unit.
(03:40):
Plus, unlike other places theyrequest you go back after a
week.
And the reason they do so isjust to kind of help.
Kind of look at where the Botoxhas SAS hold.
So if you do like need somemore, or because of the great
thing about Donna is she'salways looking for that kind of
natural look, um, As she justwants to make sure everything's
(04:03):
even, and it's all kind oflooking good.
So they do.
A free Botox touch-up, which Ican't see anywhere else in
Houston that conducts this.
Um, so anyway, if you want moreinformation, more than happy to
help.
If not check them out onInstagram is asking day spa
Houston.
I'm sorry.
I just wanted to mention, as Ilook at my skin, I think, oh my
(04:24):
God, maybe it's cause I have acold.
And I'm just not feeling like ahundred percent, but having a
mirror in front of me is not thebest.
Um, Anyway.
Completely went off on atangent.
Um, so I'm going to stoprambling on.
And I will go back to the secondpart of this awesome episode
with butchy.
(04:45):
Thanks.
francene (04:47):
,so I have to ask, you have conducted face-to-face
interviews with a number ofpeople, and I need to ask, how
was Sarah Jessica Parker?
She was, I love her.
ruchi (05:03):
I mean, she was very, she came on launching a shoe
collection at Nordstrom in theGalleria.
I went,
francene (05:10):
I went to that.
I never got to meet her, but Iwent to it.
Oh, went for that.
Can
ruchi (05:13):
imagine was Infourteen.
francene (05:15):
Yeah.
Yes.
That's when I literally movedhere a month before.
ruchi (05:20):
Oh my God, that is so funny.
Oh, I love that so much.
Yeah, she was there.
Um, I, um, had my photographerwith me and she and I, we went
to cover that and I got a chanceto speak to her and, you know,
interview her.
And she was very nice.
Oh, I mean, I, I, I saw herkneeling over to a la old lady
(05:41):
who was in a wheelchair and, um,she was very, very friendly,
very easygoing, and very nice.
francene (05:49):
Oh, I love that.
That makes me happy.
Have you tried it?
ruchi (05:51):
Does.
I, I sometimes don't likeinterviewing celebrities for
that reason is because if I likesome movie or something, I don't
want that to be tarnished.
francene (05:59):
I know that would be my fear is like meeting your
idol and then they're not thatnice.
Oh my God.
Um, but have you, have you triedon any of her shoe collection
that,
ruchi (06:11):
um, at that time I did, and I don't see much of it
anymore and not so any places.
Yeah.
francene (06:18):
So the only reason I bring it up is I was the same,
and it's only the last likethree years I now buy from, I
mean, not her, obviously thestore.
Um, but they're actually made inthe same place as Manolo BBLs.
Yes.
And it's, they're so similar.
So similar.
(06:39):
Um, just a little bit lessexpensive.
But anyway, I really like them.
They're very comfortable.
Okay.
Highly recommend.
Yeah.
Um, so I guess from like beingable to like interview so many
great people and from thefashion perspective, um, what
about beauty and morespecifically your kinda skincare
(07:02):
routine.
What is a typical kind of dayfor you?
Because your skin looksincredible and it looks like
you're not wearing anythingright now.
Um, just
ruchi (07:11):
a little al I mean, so, okay.
I am very old school, believe itor not.
I have not ever put a singleBotox injection, nothing
francene (07:22):
on this.
Yeah.
Your skin is great.
It is great.
ruchi (07:24):
I get my eyebrows threaded in Hillcroft.
Okay.
Cause I, I grew up with thatlike almost, you know, as said
from age 19, I started getting,I, I had a uni bra It did.
You have great
francene (07:37):
eyebrow shape,
ruchi (07:38):
so I do threading.
You did great.
Um, I have made exercise like askincare routine almost, or like
something which happened to mein 20 20 19 mostly, but 2020
even more.
Yeah.
It's like, I hate it to be likea chore.
Yeah.
I hate it to be like apunishment.
Like, oh my God, I gotta do itas, I won't fit in this outfit.
(08:00):
I do.
It is because like, you know,just like, oh my God, there's a
luxury that just like, I loveshopping.
I'm one of those people who willnot shop online.
shoppings your cardio have zerotime now.
like, oh God.
I'm like, this kid is sneak outor missing homework and go sh
look around and then come backand do my homework late at
(08:21):
night.
Um, I, uh, definitely always,there's a cliche ones that I can
always clean my.
Before going to bed.
Yeah.
With coconut oil.
Well, I, okay.
I have dry skin now, so Skin toskin.
So I have pretty dry skin alwayshad.
Okay.
Okay.
And so I put coconut oil andclean up the, that, that cotton
ball just clean up my face.
(08:43):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I use a lot of oil base.
My biggest routine is grew upwith mommy, mommy's, uh, home
tricks, turmeric, yogurt.
Um, there's a, we call it basin,which is Grand Flour Uhhuh.
I don't if you get that inregular grocery stores.
I pick it up from, um, what doyou call it?
(09:05):
Uh, like from Indian grocerystores and I make a paste.
Or if nothing, I absolutely,every other day I pick yogurt,
honey, uh, lemon juice ifneeded.
Or maybe just a little pinch oflike a fresh turmeric Yeah.
Or whatever, and mix it.
And then I put a paste of it onmy face.
francene (09:25):
Oh wow.
That is, I love diy.
Oh, I love this.
Yeah.
And it just helps moisturize tokeep it less dry.
ruchi (09:33):
No, I just keep it as a face mask.
Oh, I love that.
Yeah.
I just put a face mask and leaveit for 10, 15 minutes and then
wash it off.
Okay.
That's a great tip.
Uh, that's something, those arethe typical things I do.
Um, grew up again with a lot ofoil massage.
I don't get a chance to do thatanymore cause hair's done.
(09:54):
If I do put oil Yeah.
But whenever given chance, I doa little bit of oil massage.
It's really, you can take, youknow, cast oil is very good for
you.
Oh really?
Yeah.
Cast castro is really good foryour hair.
It's really sticky.
So you just need a little bit,mix it with, uh, coconut oil or
so.
Um, I use a lot of oils, uh,especially coconut, castor oil,
(10:19):
almond oil, stuff like that.
So, and then, so I do that and Idon't put a whole bunch of
makeup.
Okay.
I mean, I just feel like it canshow that, you know, I mean, of
course I'll, I mean, I'll, ifI'm on tv then I'll try to cover
up my dark circles or whatever,but otherwise, I mean, just a, a
(10:42):
good primer.
Yes.
I love a good primer, so I, I'llbuy a good primer.
I mean, nothing expensive.
Mm-hmm.
Mac powder, Mac lipstick.
Mascara eyeliner.
I love it.
Always.
I either go with red lipstick ora, a smokey eye Oh my
francene (11:00):
go-tos.
Yes.
One or the other.
I love that.
And what about your hair?
Because you have Great, okay, Ihave to
ruchi (11:06):
give a shout to dry
francene (11:10):
Is that your
ruchi (11:10):
secret?
They are the best.
I think so.
And this, this is, um, four daystill hair.
Oh my
francene (11:19):
gosh.
ruchi (11:20):
So how often?
Well, dry shampoo, well, I havebaby hair, so the curls hold.
Yeah.
I have baby hair.
So the curls hold.
Um, dry shampoo is my, I live byYes.
I'm not, because I don't wash myhair every day.
So every three days or four daysI'll wash my hair.
Okay.
And, uh, dry bar, I invest ingetting my hair done is because
(11:44):
for two reasons.
I have to go to so many things.
And it just, for me, it stayslong.
Mm-hmm.
so it works out.
So if I have a lunch andtomorrow, then I have a, like,
oh, I'm, I'm actually gonna bemeeting Bik the designer on, uh,
Thursday.
We are having a lunch with him.
Oh my gosh.
That's amazing.
He's amazing.
Have you seen his collectionsometime And he, I think some of
(12:06):
them wore for the o um, Oscar.
Oh
francene (12:09):
really?
Oh my gosh.
Yeah.
No, I need to look.
And
ruchi (12:12):
Michelle Obama is a big, that she wore many of his
outfits and many of them I'llsend you some pictures of.
So I'm meeting him on Thursdayat the luncheon.
Tomorrow there's an event at,uh, Asia Society by this New
York Times bestseller, uh,Indian Cook author actually.
So we are interviewing her.
So all these events will bethere, so I can just get, get
the hair done out of the way andI'll be good to go.
francene (12:35):
God, it's a lot.
So it helps to get your hairdone and ready.
And we mentioned at the start ofthe episode, um, you know,
talking about kinda laying outoutfits, but it's a lot, it's a
lot to go to.
It's a lot.
Many of those different events.
And then think of, okay, what amI gonna wear?
And, you know, avoiding kind offast fashion.
(12:58):
How do you keep up with trends?
Do you keep up with trends?
ruchi (13:04):
Or no, I don't invest at all expensive with on trends at
all.
Okay.
francene (13:09):
So it's more like,
ruchi (13:10):
so I business absolutely will not spend anything more
than$50 on an anything trendy.
That's the max.
francene (13:18):
Okay.
Wow.
ruchi (13:18):
For me.
Okay.
Trendy stuff,$50, whether it's adress or, you know, the cutouts
have come out the cutout style.
I know this just a fact.
So, you know, I found somethinglike that at a cheaper store.
I'll go, you know, those littlestores, I'll be like, okay, 35,
$40, I'll wear it.
I'll wear accessories.
(13:38):
Yes.
Like they, there's a joke.
I'm, I am.
That's what they said.
That, and I, you know, my closetis small and, um, I, I would
tell my friends, I don't haveany savings my savings at the
closet.
That's true.
My savings on the closet.
I am like, I can't save, I'mgonna save, I'm gonna save.
(14:00):
I can't save.
Um, I, cause you know, I feellike I'm this, I'm this girl
who's like, okay, whatever.
Life is short
francene (14:08):
It is.
It's just, I feel
ruchi (14:09):
the same way.
Um, I always invest in good
francene (14:12):
accessories.
Okay.
Is there any specific brands you
ruchi (14:16):
prefer?
No specific, but yeah, I mean,see, I will not buy, like, I, I
love, um, CLA handbags.
Yes, I am crazy for handbagsand, uh, Well, this one's, this
baby is sitting right in frontof me.
Ooh, that's beautiful.
That's the Bulgar Spen.
(14:37):
Oh my God,
francene (14:38):
that is so nice.
ruchi (14:39):
So this was one the year Bulgary was a very generous
supporter of, uh, L C A magazineevent.
Mother's Day Suaree.
So yeah, we, we, we got thatthen.
And he, and they were, they gota table, they got a table
together.
It was very nice.
Um, this lime color, now thiscolor and this, you know, even
the color is very trendy if youthink about a spring.
(15:00):
Yeah.
But this is burglary and thestyle is so classic, it'll never
go out a style.
Yeah.
I have been, over the years,collected a very, a nice
collection of clutches andhandbags.
Um, I've never been like, oh mygosh, Chanel or anything like
that.
But I do like a good brand.
Uh, I have a beautiful Chanelclutch that I love.
Absolutely.
(15:20):
And then, um, then each one hasa story like, uh, I wanted
Always the Lady Dior.
which Bri is Diana, they createdfor her.
Mm-hmm.
uh, that mini or the medium one,whatever.
And I wanted to always get it.
And that was so funny because Istill remember when I was going
through such a hard time in mylife where, I mean, I still
remember, I mean, having noteven a hundred dollars in my
(15:42):
hand, I'm like, I don't knowwhat to do.
But I still was that girl.
But I was never sad.
I couldn't get it, but I justkept dreaming.
I would go in the store, inGalleria, Dior store, like every
day almost and ask for the priceof that
francene (15:55):
lady Dior.
You're like,
ruchi (15:56):
has it changed?
Change the price.
I was like, they'll be like, oh,ok.
And I kept, I would tell myselfone day when I work hard and if
I, my dad always taught me neverbuy something on credit.
Uh, yes, you can buy it.
My dad, dad said the same, you,to pay your bills.
Only then you.
Yes, I am very lucky to beraised with the such values and
(16:20):
okay, there was, I saved, I saidI'd never buy jewelry for myself
ever.
I never bought myself anydiamonds.
I never had any diamonds,nothing but handbags was my
weakness.
So when I finally bought thatlady Dior, I went to lo, I had
gone for a trip to London and Ibought it in London.
The same store where?
(16:40):
Where they had got it for LadyPrincess Diana.
Oh my gosh.
Oh, I love that.
And it's beautiful.
It's got this, my initials RMwith the star in the middle.
Yeah.
And it's like, you know, they'relike, oh, you're a star.
So the, so just love thoselittle stories with it.
Uh, shoes doesn't matter.
I am all about, I'm always inheels and always I walk on the
go and lunches and galas.
(17:01):
Yes.
Of clever.
Um, I will prefer simple pumps.
Yeah.
But of course we are all, youknow, we women still buy a whole
bunch of shoes, so.
Yeah, I
francene (17:09):
know we still
ruchi (17:11):
buy them my booties and you know, I mean, these Dichi
boots I got like two years ago,I always look for a good deal.
Everyone knows me.
I am all about deals.
Yeah.
People don't know this, but atip shopping Tip Jimi has as
biggest sale in summer June.
Go to the store, you'll get 40%off.
(17:34):
Oh, that's awesome to know.
Clutches, shoes, wedges,everything.
Classic from classic clutcheswill also go 40% off.
Oh my
francene (17:43):
God.
Jimmy C is like my favorite.
I'm obsessed with Jimmy C.
It's the best.
Yeah, the best friend.
ruchi (17:50):
They, they.
I love the style of shoes.
I love the Me too.
You know, the evening clutchesare really nice.
They have a sale.
Well, Gucci used to have onepoint and they've stopped
having, but that's the goodtiming.
Summer for aga.
The other brands in gal, theyhave good
francene (18:05):
sales.
Okay, so I had to Galleria inJune.
ruchi (18:09):
Yes.
Yeah.
June go there and.
keep an eye and it's, I alwayslook for deals.
I buy inexpensive, mostlyclothing, of course, I've bought
expensive ones too, but I mostlytry to buy a lot of like
reasonable price clothes andthen I mix and match it with all
the accessories.
Yeah, I do.
(18:30):
So handbag shoes, these are,because those investments you
can, you can wear it all thetime.
Yeah.
Agreed.
I mean, clothes, you're notgonna repeat unless it's a
blazer or a classic piece, ablack dress.
But you're not gonna wear afloral print.
Like 20 times, you know?
I know.
It's no point, you know,spending too much money on a,
you know.
Yeah.
That's,
francene (18:50):
if you agreed.
And this is, um, you know, youmentioned cuz I do outfit of the
day, I'm also, this makes me bemore, um, have more inspiration
on like, how do I mix and matchso I'm not repeating the same
thing.
Oh yeah.
Which is bad.
All I do.
Which is bad because this is howI justify my purchases.
Cause I say to my husband, I'mlike, I can't possibly wear the
(19:12):
same thing He's like, you'rejust going to work I'm like, I
know.
I know.
Um, so tell me more about L C aHouston Magazine.
I know you launched in 2009, um,but tell me what was the
inspiration behind it and um,what you guys have coming up in
(19:34):
the future.
Oh yeah, so
ruchi (19:36):
exciting.
So we definitely have lotscoming up, but L C A Houston
started as an online magazine.
So I went the opposite route.
People usually start print.
I did online, I've been alwaysbeen with TV and print magazine
and, uh, newspaper.
So I already had a hugeportfolio and a, and a backing
and, you know, off injournalism.
(19:57):
Yeah.
So I was not new to thatprofession at all.
I've been ri I was writingalready in the US for years and
had built relationships and, uh,the community started asking,
and at that time, and even now,there was no magazine, which is
this.
The vision I had was that I didnot want any ethnic community to
(20:19):
be just known for theirstereotypes.
I just did not want India to bea chicken tka, masala and
arranged marriage.
Yeah.
Which is fine, but we are morethan that.
Just like America cannot be onlyknown for cheese.
Yeah, for sure.
You know, so same thing, youknow, it's not, uh, we, I, and I
kept feeling that, and people atthe same time were like, oh my
(20:42):
God, we, you've written, you'vecovered for t v Asia, you've
covered for this.
Where are those stories?
Mm-hmm.
So that gave me that, you know,the light bulb was like, ding,
okay, how about Ava onlinepresence of all the stories that
I'm covering?
And I start putting that online.
And then the vision startedslowly growing, that this will
(21:02):
be the magazine, which will beme, which I started seeing was
for initially just mostly known.
And it is only recently changed.
Let me tell you, Indians wereonly known as, oh my God.
Yes.
I love Hillcroft.
I love the Tala.
Oh, I love the.
(21:24):
and they were not aware of bigbrands, were not aware of that.
We were the biggest spenders inHouston.
They were one of the biggest,you know, shoppers and they're
buying diamonds from, whetherit's from the big brands or
whichever.
And that became my idea to startseeing women or men from Asian
community, Latin community, uh,you know, Iranian, you know,
(21:48):
Arabic community, all of thesecommunities doing amazing
things, but they were just intheir own little pockets doing
mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
So I was going to the Indiancommunity covering a gala for
them.
I was going the Asian communitycovering a gala for them.
But there was no, there was nosynergy or there was no, uh,
bridging that gap.
My magazine print edition camelater.
(22:10):
I was online and that's when in2013 I had a, a vision alongside
this columnized to do for timesof India, I'd written even for
states when I wrote, called TheEight Moms of Houston.
It was a fun little piece ofstories I would write about
fashionable Indian or Asian,whichever community I would pick
(22:30):
every time four or five moms.
Mm-hmm.
from various ethnic backgroundsand how similar kind like their
fashion and what philanthropy oras a mother, you know, uh, what
they're doing.
Because also growing up inIndia, another mindset and
stigma, I would constantly hear,oh, you're a mom.
You don't need to get your nailsdone.
(22:51):
Yeah.
Oh, oh, she's painting hernails.
Great.
Once you'll have a kid, all thatwill go out of the window.
Yeah.
So cute.
It bothered me.
Motherhood is not a punishment.
And my mom was, is a very,fashion, was a very fashionable,
and I remember people likemaking her look like as if she's
not a good mom.
If she's doing fashion.
(23:11):
Yeah.
If she's wearing matchingoutfits.
If she's wearing, she's puttogether.
They're like, oh yeah, she, allshe does is fashion.
She was the most dedicated.
Mother I've ever known who knewnothing other than her children.
Mm-hmm.
And she would feel like, ohgosh.
And so I just felt like that'ssuch so wrong.
I mean, motherhood doesn't meanyou to look, you know, you can
(23:32):
be comfortable.
It's to its own agree.
I'm not gonna criticize if anymom wants to be in sweats,
that's absolutely okay.
Just because I love to wear adress or that's my, my point of
view.
But I, I admired actually a lotmore the moms who were so fit
and they would wear the.
glamorous dresses.
And I would be like, yeah, wow.
Yes, that takes, I know it takeseffort.
(23:55):
you a baby crying there andyou're trying to also look good.
So I started writing about themand that column turned into the
L C A Houston InternationalMother's Day story.
I love that.
We started the first one in 2013and we are nine years now.
So we are having, upcoming is inHouston on May 15th.
(24:17):
Uh, we'll have our ninth AnnualInternational Mother's Day story
at the Junior League of Houston.
And the theme is super awesome.
Frida Kaho inspired, so big,amazing big hair, you know, big
rose headbands and hair, youknow, flower bands and floral
dresses.
That's the theme.
And then we have, for theWoodlands, we have the honorary
(24:41):
announcement party in theWoodlands on May 4th at Tory
Butch.
Yes.
It's a cocktail party.
and which you are one of
francene (24:49):
our honoree.
I cannot wait.
I'm so excited.
Get your
ruchi (24:52):
pink dress ready because Honor.
Oh, I'm ready.
Wear pink on the kickoff.
So ready?
I can't wait.
And then we are gonna have,after the Houston event, we will
be in full swing with ourWoodlands main luncheon on
October 16th, 2022 at theWoodlands Country Club.
And the theme is gonna be theafternoon tea with hats and
(25:14):
fascinators.
francene (25:15):
Oh, this is awesome.
I cannot wait.
I'm so excited.
Cannot
ruchi (25:18):
wait.
Yeah.
Well, why count this full?
And we are also talking toMarket Street for end of the
year in, um, November to host aDiwali event, which is the
biggest Indian festival.
Uh, it's called the, you know,festival of Lights.
Yeah.
And it'll be a Bollywood theme.
And hopefully we are gonna behaving that event at Market
(25:41):
Street.
So everyone will get ready toget their on the Bollywood dance
moves.
Oh my goodness.
And all bright c sorrys anddresses.
And we will be hosting thatevent to raise awareness for
mental health for firstresponders.
francene (25:57):
Wow, that's incredible.
It's incredible, like everythingyou've built and done.
Um, and I'm really, reallyexcited for these events coming
up
too.
ruchi (26:06):
I am excited.
I can't see that, you know, thewoodlands turning into this
colorful Oh yes.
Fun happening space.
I feel we need that.
francene (26:15):
I agree.
Oh, yes.
Um, so usually at the, um, I'mconscious of time.
There's so much I could ask youand continue to ask you.
Um, but we usually end with aquick fire round.
Okay.
So I'm gonna ask you somequestions and just whatever pops
into your head, go for it.
Okay.
Um, so your favorite cocktail.
ruchi (26:38):
Oh friend, 70 fives.
Oh, oh
francene (26:40):
my God.
I love that cocktail.
Yeah.
And most used emoji.
ruchi (26:46):
Oh, the kisses all over the face.
Yeah,
francene (26:51):
Um, if you were a sex and city character, who would
you be?
In?
The Sex
ruchi (26:56):
and City?
Yes.
Oh my God.
So for shopping wise, uh, a lotof people used to call me the
Indian Carry Blood Show, but Ilike to say it, I'm not a fan of
her character because the wayshe was treated by Mr.
Big, I would never, evertolerate a man treating me that
way.
And I will be taking that at thesame time.
(27:16):
I love Samantha, but she's, Ilove, that's over the top with
her sex That's not me.
Um, I do love sex and I'm notashamed to say like, oh my gosh,
she's Indian.
She said that.
Um, I'm a combination of that.
Yeah.
francene (27:29):
That's a great combination.
ruchi (27:30):
You know, like, I would not take.
I would, I'm all about equality.
I will be treating a man withrespect, and I want man respect
me and, and I will not bechanging partners like she does
Oh yeah.
Um, but at the same time, burgershopping.
Yeah.
That part is so me, apartmentcan't let go of my apartment
(27:50):
life.
Uh, my clothes, my shoes.
I shouldn't be buying.
And I'm a journalist.
I shouldn't be buying, but I'llbuy it.
That's me.
But not the part where Mr.
Big, so I don't know.
I'm torn
francene (28:00):
It's a Caucasian.
Okay.
I'll, I'll give you, I'll giveyou them both.
Um, okay.
If you could be anyone for theday,
ruchi (28:06):
who would you be?
Any other person?
Mm-hmm.
honestly, uh, I don't know.
I'm quite, I, I just would liketo be.
Oh no,
francene (28:18):
I love that.
Cause I don't know.
That's
ruchi (28:19):
a great answer.
Other people have so I havenever, ever, ever envied even my
richest, most fabulous friends.
I love them how they haveachieved, but I always feel we
don't know what they had to gothrough or what they're going
through.
That's true.
So I don't want to be anyoneelse.
I'll just be me
francene (28:39):
Great.
You're the only one that's everanswered that question in that
way, so that's great.
I love it.
Um, if you could pick only twoskincare products, what would
they
ruchi (28:48):
be?
Um, I'll, I'll take the CastroOkay.
Any others?
I'll take the Castro with me.
Yeah.
francene (28:58):
Any others?
ruchi (29:00):
Um, I'll take a good, uh, martial.
francene (29:04):
Okay, we'll take that.
Yeah.
Um,
ruchi (29:06):
I got moisturizer, a sunscreen moisturizer so that if
is gonna burn me off with thesun so I'm gonna take a
sunscreen moisturizer with me,
francene (29:14):
Um, and what is your life motto or phrase that you
live by?
ruchi (29:21):
Um, I've recently started living by actually that I'd
rather be used than I usesomebody and I, it's a
combination of different quotes,basically.
Yeah.
Uh, Robin Nago says this overand over again, said this noble
laureate poet from India that.
Build yourself in such a way,just like a tree, or be so great
(29:45):
that when you build a tree, ayou don't think, a tree doesn't
think who's get, who's gettingthe shade.
It's not concerned about that.
And uh, there's a, there's apolitic line.
I can't exactly remember, butwhat the, but the gist of it is
basically is this, that, um,just give without really any
expectations.
(30:05):
Yeah.
And it's hard and sounds solike, oh my god.
No, it is truly actually you'redoing a favor to yourself by not
by saying that, oh, I mean, I'mso great.
I'm gonna give without no, it'sbecause expectation is the
number one killer of allrelationships.
Yeah.
Whether it's with your child,whether it's with your partner,
whether it's in your job whenyou do job or a work, if you
(30:29):
just see it yourself, like thispodcast you do because you do it
for fun.
It's so much more easier if youjust did it to get a result and,
you know, compete with othernumbers, it just drain you.
But the second we, we all haveto pay bills, we have to make
money.
I understand.
I'm definitely cautious forthat.
Mm-hmm.
but we cannot think of theresult even with our children,
(30:50):
with our partners, and we haveto live in the present.
And at the same time, I alwaysfeel I rather be used than I,
uh, I abuse and use somebodyelse.
I now want to be in a positionin life where I have to use.
Yeah.
No, I love that they'd rather beused.
francene (31:06):
No, I love it.
Well, hey, thank you so, so muchfor your time.
This has been a great Thank you.
ruchi (31:11):
This was great conversation.
francene (31:13):
Good.
Yeah, I know.
I just looked down and I waslike, oh my God.
I'm pretty sure I promised 40minutes and we've gone well
ruchi (31:19):
over No, it's okay.
And I appreciate you so much,and thank you.
Uh, everything you're doing,just the fact that you're doing
this is, it's, it's a, it's abeautiful gesture because
you're, you're bringing so muchjoy to so many people and you're
finding your own little meaningin your life, I feel.
So that's really good.
And, you know, stepping out andloving fashion.
(31:41):
Hey, I love women who lovefashion.
I'll be artist.
francene (31:42):
Right.
Well, um, hey, I will see you onSunday.
Looking fabulous.
See, thanks.
Um, but yeah, thank you so much.
Have a great evening.
Bye.
See you Sunday.
Bye lady.
Bye.
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